Upgrade kernel - advice?
 

I apt-cache searched here and found this image suitable for upgrading:

kernel-image-2.6.8-1-k7 - Linux kernel image for version 2.6.8 on AMD K7

I am using currently 2.6.5-1-k7.

I want to be advised on:

Will I need to reconfigure modules/drivers?

Does upgrading kernel also upgrades modules? will apt take care of modules compatibility?

Do I need to reconfigure X?

Do I need to edit lilo's conf files?

Thank you!

Updating the kernel you may have to install modules for that kernel. If you had to added something special. ( i.e Nvidia ).

You still have your old kernel. So if it doesn't work for some reason, you can simply reboot into your old kernel and try to fix it. Kernels are only removed when you uninstall them yourself.

Your only updating a patch level witch usually works very easily.

X Config shouldn't require and changes at all.

lilo should be updated for you.

Hi leonscape, thank you!

"Updating the kernel you may have to install modules for that kernel. If you had to added something special. ( i.e Nvidia )."

I do have an nvidia card, but I use the old nv driver, no big deal. I didn't compiled/installed the new nvidia driver, as I don't play any game or stuff like that.

The only "non standard" hardware I have is a tv/radio card, but it uses the bttv driver, which is also no big deal. I read somewhere this driver is compiled inside any modern kernel.

My current install was a woody that I apt dist-upgraded to sid. It replaced kernel 2.2*idepci with a 2.6.5.1-k7. I have no problems loading modules for my hardware now. Will I have with 2.6.8.1-k7? Do you believe so?

The rest is a abit kg7 mboard, ethernet 8139, seagate and samsung hardidsks, lg dvd, matshita cdrw, standard floppies, sblive!, via apollo, via 686a.


"You still have your old kernel. So if it doesn't work for some reason, you can simply reboot into your old kernel and try to fix it. Kernels are only removed when you uninstall them yourself."

Cool. Just like the dist-upgrade didn't erase the old 2.2.*idepci. But, how do I edit lilo to boot the old kernel, in case I need it? The only editable files in /boot are the /boot/map, /boot/config-2-2*idepci and /boot/config-2.6.5-1.k7. I mean, does lilo have something like grub's menu.lst?

Lilo uses /etc/lilo.conf, you can edit the options there. Then run /sbin/lilo for the changes to take effect.

Grub is available for Debian as well.

You shouldn't have any problems at all.

FYI:

I use the 2.6.8 kernel, and it was my first experience with 2.6 It's great!

But, there is a minor bug that may be an issue:
no cdrecording in a non-root account.

See news at-
www.k3b.org

I know there are patches circulating for this, but they might not work on debian source, although I've never tried.

There is no need to patch k3b the latest version (0.11.16-1) in unstable is already updated with the fix.

It is included in the Debian kernels I tried the only problem I had is having to use modprobe bttv card=?? tuner=?? either manually or the way I finally do it now is at the bottom of the /etc/init.d/bootmisc.sh it never seems to get detected properly any other way.
The modules should continue to load as always.

There is no need to edit lilo when you install the new kernel with apt/dpkg everything is taken care of automatically and the links are updated for the /vmlinuz and /initrd.img of the new kernel and the old kernel is moved to links for booting as a backup.

Thanks for the info. I gotta get it asap.

peace,
Steve

This is great news. I'll manage to get 2.6.8 here.

So, the clear it up, k3b works ok with 2.6.8, in the end?

And my tv card is set when i do:

modprobe bttv radio=1 card=37 # this is code for 'pixel view play tv pro'
modprobe tuner type=2 # code for tuner philips ntsc

Running 2.6.8 ok!

No need to edit lilo stuff, no modules, no anything.
I just apt-getted install kernel-image etc etc...

And rebooted. Hw keeps working as usual.

Cool!
Thanks everybody for your assistance!

Run into the k3b not working on non-root with 2.6.8 issue. Did you guys fix it?